Eating Berries During The Cold Of Winter

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), a small bird that is here all year. During the warm months I love to see the little Phoebe as it consumes lots and lots of insects. As the seasons change and there are fewer insects, the Phoebe will eat berries and small fruits.

I’d love to see more of them around in part because the Phoebes are so unperturbed by my presence, but also for insect control. But this bird is a loner. Even mated pairs spend little time together.

Phoebes will often return to the same nest year after year. This has happened here, returning to a nest site under the eaves of our wood shop. The female builds or repairs the nest using mud, moss, and leaves mixed with grass stems and animal hair. 

And not a shy bird. It’s one that I’m able to get pictures of, quite easily.

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One Handsome Creature

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), a handsome creature that arrives in autumn to spend the winter in central Virginia, and in much of southern North America. They enjoy berries during their stay here and during the summer they eat insects.

As I look at the maps of their range I see that my location is marked “uncommon”. I’m feeling quite happy that the Hermit Thrushes in my vicinity didn’t get that word, and I’m not going to tell them.

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Hands Can Say So Much

One of many favorite photographs. This, from a visit to see my parents in Florida long ago. It was their first meeting of their great-granddaughter.

My Dad’s hand reaching out to her hand, as my Mom is holding her. Ah, the memories.

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A Christmas Card Perhaps?

A Christmas card, maybe? Or maybe not. Some Jalepeño Peppers (Capsicum annuum ‘Jalapeño’) from the garden placed upon a stack of greens from my huge stash of fabrics.

We’ll see what I come up with. Going through oodles and bunches of photos. Wondering which one will speak to me.

In the meantime I’m enjoying looking at images from the past.

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Taking Advantage Of The Warm Weather

A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) enjoying a relatively warm day, with temperatures dropping considerably in the following many days.

With water available, and not frozen, birds will continue to use the birdbaths for their bathing which is needed for their health. Bathing helps in preening their feathers. That in turn aids in aligning feathers for proper waterproofing and insulation.

This coming Sunday is the first day of meteorological winter with a forecast high of 40º and the following day there is a forecast of a high of 38º.

Welcome meteorological winter! Water de-icer required!

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A Female Eastern Bluebird

This morning I was pleased to spot a female Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) at one of the birdbaths. I was quick and was able to get a picture. Glad of that. They don’t hang around waiting for me to get my camera ready. They’re here one minute and gone the next.

Eastern Bluebirds here are year-round residents but that’s the case for most of them in the United States. That range is the mid-Atlantic states, northern Florida, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.

The female Eastern Bluebird has a pale dusty coloring. Pale gray-blue above and pale, pale rusty brown below.

I hope she’ll be back again soon.

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Another Of The LBJs

Another of the LBJs, Little Brown Jobbies. This one a White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), at low tide this morning. Before I had an opportunity to refill the bird baths.

It’s making itself at home in its winter home here, but its winter range also includes central and eastern US. It spends the breeding season in Canada, east of the Rockies.

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One Of The LBJs

This one of the LBJs, or Little Brown Jobbies. Little brown birds that look like other little brown birds. Very confusing.

In reality, I’m able to identify this bird. The streaked breast helps in that regard. This is a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia).

Years ago as I was getting familiar with the LBJs, it sure did help to get photos and compare each bird without it suddenly flying away.

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Oodles Of Birds This Morning

They swooped in this morning, delighting in the birdbaths, quenching their thirst. Too many to count. Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) and Robins (Turdus migratorius) everywhere. Then on their way hunting berries. And back again.

Back and forth many times this morning before the snow started. Snow that pleased me greatly. Falling into the evening though not quite cold enough to stick. Still, great mobs of beautiful birds and lovely snow.

Wondrous!

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Wild Wind!

This White Oak leaf (Quercus alba) modeled for me yesterday as I was roaming, enjoying the last of the autumn colors. Last evening a front came through. Wind roared and howled with incredible speed as it blew through the mountain trails.

One little branch. Not much to hold onto. But maybe it’s still there hanging from that branch despite the high winds.

White Oak trees, at least young trees, keep their leaves through the winter, dropping them in spring. More mature White Oak trees often will drop their upper leaves but hold onto the lower leaves until winter turns to spring. This is called marcescence.

Nature is amazing in its complicated world.

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